# White-throated Sparrow (*Zonotrichia albicollis*) The White-throated Sparrow is a lovely little bird with a bright white throat and cheerful song. They are often found hopping around in gardens and parks. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 144 - **Habitat:** Forests, gardens, and parks - **Also known as:** White-throat Sparrow, Zonotrichia ![White-throated Sparrow](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426589/objects/4539.jpg) ## Appearance The White-throated Sparrow has a striking head pattern with bold black and white (or tan) stripes, a bright white throat, and distinctive yellow patches between its eyes and bill. Its body is mostly brownish-gray, distinguishing it from many other sparrows. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Passerellidae - **Genus:** Zonotrichia ## Interesting facts - Some sparrows have bright white head stripes, while others show duller tan ones! - Their song sounds like 'Old Sam Peabody, Peabody, Peabody,' making them easy to identify! - They can sing two different notes at once, thanks to a special voice box! - They scratch backward with both feet at once to find hidden seeds and insects! ## Special abilities - **Mnemonic Melody:** White-throated Sparrows have a clear, whistling song that sounds like 'Oh, sweet Canada, Canada, Canada' that helps people identify them. - **Backward Scavenger:** White-throated Sparrows can hop backward with both feet at once to uncover hidden seeds and insects from leaf litter. - **Dual Plumage:** White-throated Sparrows have two distinct head stripe patterns (white-striped and tan-striped) that influence their social behavior. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 15-18 cm - **Wingspan:** 20-25 cm - **Weight:** 0.022-0.03 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-10 years - **Speed:** 40 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-6 - **Incubation:** 11-14 days - **Migration Distance:** 2000 km ## Diet & Feeding These omnivores eat many kinds of seeds and insects, especially during breeding season. - **Primary Foods:** Seeds, Beetles, Caterpillars, Berries, Buds - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — Cats are a significant predator, especially near human settlements. - **Eaten by:** [Sharp-shinned Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sharp-shinned-hawk) (*Accipiter striatus*) — A swift hawk that preys on small songbirds like the sparrow. - **Eats:** Highbush Blueberry (*Vaccinium corymbosum*) — They forage on ripe blueberries and other wild fruits. - **Shelter:** [White Spruce](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-spruce) (*Picea glauca*) — Dense conifer forests provide nesting and roosting sites. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always enjoy watching birds from a distance. They are wild animals and should not be touched. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify White-throated Sparrow? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is White-throated Sparrow? 15-18 cm ### What is White-throated Sparrow's wingspan? 20-25 cm ### How much does White-throated Sparrow weigh? 0.022-0.03 kg ### How long does White-throated Sparrow live? 2-10 years ### How fast can White-throated Sparrow move? 40 km/h ### What does White-throated Sparrow eat? These omnivores eat many kinds of seeds and insects, especially during breeding season. ### Where is White-throated Sparrow usually found? Forests, gardens, and parks ## Where to spot - [Arden Park–East Boston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arden-park-east-boston-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Capitol Park Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/capitol-park-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Central Park West Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/central-park-west-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District - [Dead Run Stream Valley Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dead-run-stream-valley-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Falls Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/falls-park) — South Dakota, US · Park - [Grand Circus Park Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/grand-circus-park-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District [View all places to see White-throated Sparrow](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/white-throated-sparrow) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [White-throated Sparrow: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-throated-sparrow)